EDIT: (Kind of bump edit)Will get a book next week, which one is the one to go with according to you?

Hey all ([size=7pt]Lazy? - start reading under the bold words[/size])My knowledge in Java is kind of basic and "newbie", but, as a project for school, I've decided to expand my knowledge, and create some kind of game.

To this project, we should spend about 160 hours (layed out during a half year) and do what we've decided.Then we'll document it, write reports, what went good/bad etc.

Anyway, I've just begun, and need something to follow, so my question is:I've looked all over the internet for online guides, there are some, but mostly about graphics in general.

I own both Brackeen's book and killer game programming. Both are good.

Brackeen talks about developing a specific game framework, threadpool, sprites animation a bit of networking and finally 3D. It gives you piece by piece until you have made a complete game designed by Brackeen, first 2D and then 3D. If you want to know about how to implement a software 3D engine, this is the book for you (I didn't ).

Killer game programming is much more general. It talks about a multitude of techniques. You are given more pieces and more diverse pieces. They do not always fit togheter. More toolbox style. The 3D part deals with java 3d, not very up to date today. But the knowledge are mostly good as general 3D knowledge.

I own both Brackeen's book and killer game programming. Both are good.

Brackeen talks about developing a specific game framework, threadpool, sprites animation a bit of networking and finally 3D. It gives you piece by piece until you have made a complete game designed by Brackeen, first 2D and then 3D. If you want to know about how to implement a software 3D engine, this is the book for you (I didn't ).

Killer game programming is much more general. It talks about a multitude of techniques. You are given more pieces and more diverse pieces. They do not always fit togheter. More toolbox style. The 3D part deals with java 3d, not very up to date today. But the knowledge are mostly good as general 3D knowledge.

What book is "Brackeens book", by googling I think you mean the one also recommended by psychopat316?Overall, thank you very much for this explanation! But, would you recommend one for my project?What type of game is the "end-product" in the Brackeens game - I mean - 2D/3D, game type etc?Would you recommend Killer Game Programming for my use? Because it seems better for me - but also seems to take more time to work through?But, thanks again for the explanations!

But to be honest, if your Java skills are only basic and 'newbie', maybe you should first brush up on those.Or else using the books will only reduce you down to copy & pasting everything.

Because even without those books, you should be able to get something up and running.

A good java book I could recommend is Thinking in Java.btw: are you German speaking? (I am assuming from the name). You could also check out "Java in 21 Tagen", it is available as an open book and a nice resource. (publisher is gallileo computing iirc)

But to be honest, if your Java skills are only basic and 'newbie', maybe you should first brush up on those.Or else using the books will only reduce you down to copy & pasting everything.

Because even without those books, you should be able to get something up and running.

A good java book I could recommend is Thinking in Java.btw: are you German speaking? (I am assuming from the name). You could also check out "Java in 21 Tagen", it is available as an open book and a nice resource. (publisher is gallileo computing iirc)

Ok, the "basic/newbie" is what I'm assuming my knowledge to be, I mean, there are so much more to learn.But I've went through "Programming A/B" (Half year each) here at this school, but still I do not believe it's a high level of knowledge.

Sorry if this sounds "arrogant" or something, but it'll be a java gaming book, mostly because books are expensive and our libaries around here aren't interested in books like these

Darn, a bit to far I think. I have both of my java game books at my old work in Malmö. Since I will never go there again, anyone willing to pick them up there can have them.Malmö, southen sweden, pretty close to Copenhagen.

Darn, a bit to far I think. I have both of my java game books at my old work in Malmö. Since I will never go there again, anyone willing to pick them up there can have them.Malmö, southen sweden, pretty close to Copenhagen.

I like the idea Maybe, just maybe, I could get there.. Do you have any prices in mind? And, if I went there, how would I find them if you aren't there?

@Mattedatten@Books:Thinking in java you can get in a downloadable form.Also iirc the killer game java book is also available online in some form.

You mean killer game programming in java?Lets say it like this ... the book is available "illegaly", I've thought about downloading it to check it out .. But, reading a .pdf on a screen is worthless, really..

I asked around and it seems like I cannot get to Malmö, sorry Do you have any way to send the book(s) (Which one was the second book?)I can send the "payment" in some way

Are we still talking about books? But can't Amazon help you?

Quote

You mean killer game programming in java?Lets say it like this ... the book is available "illegaly", I've thought about downloading it to check it out .. But, reading a .pdf on a screen is worthless, really..

No, if you check the site it does contain the contents of the book, more or less.Might not be much, but hey, it's free and can hold you over till you get the book.

Sorry for double-postingBut I felt like I needed a "bump", and I'll also add some facts..(I could say tomorrow, but, so everyone will know)In about 12 hours the teachers should have told me if my project gets "green light"If it goes that way, I'll start doing some research about the different books.. Because I can only afford one .. Maybe two if the second one is badly needed

Anyway, here is a list of the books I've got right now listed as "Java gaming books", and I haven't checked the availability of these in Sweden, nor listed them in any specific order other than:

Short-term : the one in which an example complete game is similar to the one you want to do.

Long-term : the one with the most diverse range of subjects, and least platform specific OR totally problem specific.

I find Ive bought quite a few code books but they were more useful in the days before the internetz.Now they are all semi-obsolete, for example DirectX7 specific books. They make great doorstops.But yeah, they did their part in helping out to advance. The more theoretical ones are often the onesI end up returning to, ones which dont care what language youre using, and which have often been toohard to even understand half of. In the end it's you making the things tick the way you want is where you learn the most.

Long-term : the one with the most diverse range of subjects, and least platform specific OR totally problem specific.

I find Ive bought quite a few code books but they were more useful in the days before the internetz.Now they are all semi-obsolete, for example DirectX7 specific books. They make great doorstops.But yeah, they did their part in helping out to advance. The more theoretical ones are often the onesI end up returning to, ones which dont care what language youre using, and which have often been toohard to even understand half of. In the end it's you making the things tick the way you want is where you learn the most.

I've also thought like that, but a book is easier to follow. I mean, I've subscibed to numerous guides on (for example) youtube, that I'll use. But I'd also like (or prefer) a book, it's simply easier to learn from according to me

Thanks for a answerI think I'll choose book on Monday/Tuesday next week (Monday morning do we meet with the teachers and discuss how our work is going)

I hope for at least one more answer still It seems like there aren't any good comparisons "up-to-date" with the books mentioned..

So I rely a little on people responses here EDIT: As I said, I found another book today, from 2010, "Introduction to Java Programming with Games - Ladd, B C", does anyone know anything?

I'm a hobbyist game programmer. I found this book probably most helpful: Java-How-Program -Harvey-Deitel

Killer Game Programming in Java is ok. I really like the concepts and him explaining them. I didn't like the code examples and stuff like that.Also lots of the book seemed like cheap filler. He has a chapter on "Networking for games", but it's really weak.He creates a very basic text client/server and some how that is considered "Killer Game Programming" to him?It would of been a lot better if he just explained concepts and "common problems" with networking in games. Like how to deal with lag in a real time games or never trust to client, verify on server, etc, etc. Tons of things he could of talked about, but instead he went with a very basic example of sending text over the wire.I also forgot what, but remember that something in the audio chapters also bugged me too.

I wasn't to found of the graphics stuff either. The book seemed dated when I read it a year or two ago. Again, if he would of just stuck with concepts it would of been good; but he went with these awkward examples of using outdated and really slow graphics libraries to load sprites, etc.

I'm a hobbyist game programmer. I found this book probably most helpful: Java-How-Program -Harvey-Deitel

Killer Game Programming in Java is ok. I really like the concepts and him explaining them. I didn't like the code examples and stuff like that.Also lots of the book seemed like cheap filler. He has a chapter on "Networking for games", but it's really weak.He creates a very basic text client/server and some how that is considered "Killer Game Programming" to him?It would of been a lot better if he just explained concepts and "common problems" with networking in games. Like how to deal with lag in a real time games or never trust to client, verify on server, etc, etc. Tons of things he could of talked about, but instead he went with a very basic example of sending text over the wire.I also forgot what, but remember that something in the audio chapters also bugged me too.

I wasn't to found of the graphics stuff either. The book seemed dated when I read it a year or two ago. Again, if he would of just stuck with concepts it would of been good; but he went with these awkward examples of using outdated and really slow graphics libraries to load sprites, etc.

Hmm, the release date of that book keeps me from beein 100% sure that it's the best one.. The question stands then, if I was to choose one book, just oneWould it be some of them listed above, or, the 2010 one (which I think most positive about now, because, after all, it's new)

Dam'I'll get myself banned here I've still not chosen bookI've contacted my libaries here, to check if they can get any of the booksIt's down to three now:Killer Game Programming in Java - Andrew Davison | ISBN: 0596007302Introductory Programming with Simple Games: Using Java and the Freely Available Networked Gaming Engine - Ladd, B C | ISBN: 0470212845Developing Games in Java - David Brackeen | ISBN: 1592730051

I have no idea, I can afford, at best, 2 of them.

Sorry for spamming your forum like this, but I'd like to get started, and don't know where

Ehm', can anyone recommend anything? Last chance kind of, and then you'll get rid of me for a while

java-gaming.org is not responsible for the content posted by its members, including references to external websites,
and other references that may or may not have a relation with our primarily
gaming and game production oriented community.
inquiries and complaints can be sent via email to the info‑account of the
company managing the website of java‑gaming.org